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The Cobras after their win on the weekend.

Pierrefonds Cobras win big

Team takes U-12 AA final over Lakeshore

John Meagher
The Gazette
Thursday, September 25, 2008

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The Cobras after their win on the weekend.
John Meagher
The Gazette
Four years ago, the 1996-born Pierrefonds Cobras could never have imagined they would one day be the champions of the Lac St. Louis region.
The Cobras had finished dead last in 2005 and were treading water at the under-9 age level.
While there was no where to go but up in the standings, hopes of a championship seemed improbable, if not impossible.
But the team gradually improved from one season to the next, and on Saturday, the prohibitive underdogs from Pierrefonds reached the pinnacle of their sport by upsetting Lakeshore, arguably one of the best teams in Quebec, in a wild under-12 AA girls’ final at Dorval North Park.
The Cobras, guided by coaches Caroline Brunelle and Bernard Le Jour, claimed the Golden Cup Trophy with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory that left many local soccer observers in disbelief.
Brunelle said her largely unheralded squad, which finished second to undefeated Lakeshore in league play, were poised for an upset.
“I could see in their eyes before the game that they were ready,” she said.
The Cobras opened the scoring midway through the first half when forward Brianna Meagher booted a rocket past Lakeshore goalkeeper Marie Lepage.
But the hugely talented Lakeshore team, bent on winning its 40th consecutive game and another playoff trophy, roared back with goals by Miranda de Saint-Rome and Amelie Bégin to grab a 2-1 lead at the half.
The plucky Cobras didn’t flinch in the darkest moments, thanks to the stellar play of defender Samantha Velenosi and steady goalkeeping of Nathalie Brunelle.
A late-game goal by Meagher, her second of the game, sent the tilt into overtime.
It set the stage for the climactic OT winner by Debbie Politakis, a perfect header which dethroned the perennially powerful Lakeshore side.
“It has to be the upset of the year in Lac St. Louis soccer,” said Le Jour.
The team: Politakis, Brunelle, Velenosi, Alexa Broster, Brianna Ste. Marie, Liana Garbin, Julia Yetman, Sara Ouimet-Dumaine and Julia Schoelch, Meagher, Kathryn Guidry, Stephanie Dessureault, Olivia McIntyre, Julia Purich, Kelina Baker, Emilie Audette and Blanche Mitsou. Team managers are Charles Broster and Holly Smith.
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There are two sides to every story...

Submitted by Lakeshore Soccer Mom on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 14:40.
I am the mother of a girl on the Lakeshore team and I would first like to congratulate the Pierrefonds Cobras for their big win. They served many shots on our net and won this game fair and square. I do also want to say however that the comments made by soccermom, are unfair. You do not have a child on the team and should not comment on what happens in our "team locker room". My daughter loves her team and has developed tremendously since joining. Being a shy girl who does not respond well to being "berated", I'm telling you first hand that this is not the case. Our team's routine is not much different than the Pierrefonds team, we also practice 3x per week and for the same amount of time. Our coaches give our girls individual attention and help them work on their own areas which can be improved. The time and attention that each girl receives is very much appreciated - it makes the girls feel special. Nobody is a hostage to this team, open tryouts have come and went. We love this team, the parents and are thankful for our coaches. We don't have a problem with the Pierrefonds people - in fact Bernard and Caroline of Pierrefonds often attend our games and practices. When you are a AA team with intentions of going AAA, passion and commitment are a must - this team does have a lot of heart. Six of our girls are part of sport-etudes program with hopes of playing for the Quebec team. Intense training began shortly before this game - a large percentage our girls were tired - losses of the kind do happen and should not be the trigger of an open forum on practice routines you obviously know nothing about.
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Let me re-phrase that

Submitted by soccermom on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 10:43.
Perhaps "berated" was too strong a word...for that I apologize to the Lakeshore team. Best of luck with the team's future endeavours.
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Pierrefonds Cobras win big

Submitted by soccermom on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 11:14.
I'm not surprised the Cobras won...they play with a lot of heart...not out of fear. Caroline and Bernard are wonderful coaches who encourage and train their girls to love the game - for the game's sake. Unfortunately, Lakeshore U12AA players are often berated by their coach for not winning or not winning by enough. Their players train as though they are 16, and are pushed to the max at such a young age. The downside is possible burnout by 16 and injuries because their bodies are still growing. Congratulations to the Cobras, their staff, players and parents! They wanted it more!
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Lakeshore, Pierrefonds, Dorval...they're just kids!

Submitted by anothersoccermom on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 20:50.
Well, I for one am suprised the Cobras won, I honestly expected Lakeshore to win. But, in the end what's important to remember is no matter "where" these 12yr old girls play, be it Lakeshore, Pierrefonds, Dorval, Dollard, Hudson, Pincourt, Lasalle, "wherever"....they are all 12 year old little girls who love to play soccer, and yes...."for the games sake". Pointe finale. The little girls on Lakeshore had every bit as much heart & desire to win as Pierrefonds that day, it just didn't work out. No great drama. Pierrefonds is a strong team, no one questions that, they won & congrats to them. Lakeshore is a very strong team & talented team, no-one can dispute that, there's no need to tear them & their coach down because they're strong and didn't pull it off that day. They're 12..... Play nice folks.
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